Dover Western Docks Revival

One of the most significant projects in the South East is taking shape in Dover.

The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) project – which has the potential to create 600 new jobs and safeguard 140 existing jobs – comprises the construction of a new cargo terminal and a port-centric distribution facility. The new facilities will help to develop cargo and logistics at the Port of Dover, whilst providing the catalyst for the wider regeneration of Dover, including waterfront development and the potential construction of a new marina.

The project is being implemented by the Port of Dover in order to transform the waterfront and protect long term port capacity that will keep traffic, Dover and the UK economy moving.

Speaking to Premier Construction about the project, Head of Port Development, Nigel Bodell, said:

“We import a lot of fresh produce, notably over a quarter of the UK’s bananas, so we have devised the first part of the scheme to help us grow this area of the business, via the creation of a new cargo terminal with ripening facilities.

“We are also looking to establish a port-centric distribution centre that will create a unique opportunity to benefit from having Europe’s busiest international ferry port on the doorstep with easy access into mainland Europe.

“We handle 2.4 million freight vehicles each year with around one third of those heading back into mainland Europe doing so empty. So we are looking to create an opportunity that will allow us to back-fill those vehicles and improve the efficiency of the logistics chain.”

Nigel added:

“This will be a game changer for Dover as well as the Port, providing the catalyst for regeneration.”

Following the ground-breaking in 2014, early construction work on the project will begin during summer 2015, with the main works commencing before the end of the year. Nigel predicts that whilst the overall construction will span a few more years, the first phase of the project should be completed around 2017.

The works at the Port of Dover are extremely important for the future development of the town and so this is a particularly important project for a local like Nigel.

Nigel said:

“It is a very exciting time for us at the moment as this is the biggest single infrastructure investment that we have ever made. I live locally and for me this is also about improving Dover, not only to generate jobs but also to encourage people who travel through Dover to come back again or to perhaps stay a bit longer.

“I’ve been involved in the project since 2003 when we first worked on the masterplan. We achieved planning consent without any public objections – a great achievement for a scheme of this size.

“We believe in Dover’s potential and we feel that now is Dover’s time to show what can be achieved when we are all working towards a shared vision.”